Board members of the Valpo Parks Foundation unanimously voted to re-elect Martin Sonnenberg, of Task Force Tips, as Board President.
Martin Sonnenberg is Executive Vice President of Task Force Tips, Inc. a leading firefighting equipment company based in Valpo. He has been a Board member since 2008 where he has served as Treasurer and on various committees. He has been a Valpo resident since he arrived at Valparaiso University in 1987, graduating in 1991 with a B.S. in Accounting.
Jeffrey Lewis, Principal at Design Organization, Inc., a division of Shive-Hattery, and team leader of their Chicago office, was elected Vice-President. He has previously been a member of the Parks Foundation Board from 2004-2011. During his one year hiatus, Lewis continued to stay active on committees and supporting Foundation causes and events. Lewis grew up in DeMotte and has been a Valpo resident since 1998, serving in many community service and faith-based capacities.
Mark Ritzi, of Horizon Bank, was re-elected the Parks Foundation Treasurer. Ritzi has been in Northwest Indiana for more than 20 years as an experienced mortgage lender. He is also very involved in many professional and service-based organizations including the Northwest Indiana Builders Association, Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors, YMCA, Junior Achievement, and St. Paul Church, as well as a volunteer coach his children’s extracurricular activities.
In addition to electing officers and welcoming Lewis back to the Board, the Valpo Parks Foundation Board nominated four new Board members. Kaye Frataccia is a retired Spanish teacher of more than 20 years in the Valpo Community Schools system. Diane Tiemann serves as Computer Services, Inc. Regional Vice-President of Customer Service. Lakeside Wealth Management’s Timothy VerShure, a financial advisor and Jamie Sulcer, Business Development Specialist with Chicago Title, have also joined the Board of the Valpo Parks Foundation. All of these individuals have individually and collectively volunteered with many local organizations, giving back to the area they call home.
The five members were welcomed to the Valpo Parks Foundation Board at the January 10, 2013 meeting and the Foundation looks forward to continue serving the Valparaiso community with these new partners.
The Valparaiso Parks Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides opportunities for the community to support the continuing legacy of high quality experiences provided by Valpo Parks. For information on how to get involved call the Parks office at 219.462.5144.